American Tree Sparrows in Ontario
When American tree sparrows are present in Ontario, when they nest, which native Ontario plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canadian zones 0a–7a yard.
- Status in Ontario
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- Canadian zones 0a–7a (southern Ontario roughly equivalent to USDA 4–6)
When to expect American tree sparrows in Ontario
In Ontario, American tree sparrows are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, snowy winters; feeder flocks are dominated by chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and finches. While here they rely on grass and weed seeds.
Humid continental in the south, boreal and subarctic in the north; most backyard birding happens in the southern Great Lakes lowlands.
Native Ontario plants that attract American tree sparrows
Of the regional native plants we track for Ontario, these 8 provide food or cover American tree sparrows use:
Insects, seeds and cavities.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Feeding American tree sparrows through the Ontario year
A winter-only visitor to most of the U.S.; forages in weedy fields and under feeders.
- Best foods: Millet, Hulled sunflower.
- In Ontario's winter: Cold, snowy winters; feeder flocks are dominated by chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and finches.
Full diet breakdown for American tree sparrows · Best feeder for American tree sparrows
Frequently asked
Are American tree sparrows in Ontario year-round?
No. American Tree Sparrows are winter visitors in Ontario and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract American tree sparrows in Ontario?
Sugar maple, Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch are native plants in Ontario that provide food or cover for American tree sparrows.
American Tree Sparrows in other regions
Other backyard birds in Ontario
Sources
- American Tree Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Tree Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Ontario
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas — Birds Canada
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.